At lunch today, a student said, “If you are going to talk about life, you have to talk about death.” I think she’s right. Ash Wednesday is one of the days we talk about death. We talk not just with words but with the act of imposition. We are imprinted with the dust that […]

Psalm 146, 147, 111–113 • Isaiah 1:1–19 • Matthew 25:1–13 During our years living in northeastern Pennsylvania, Advent coincided with short days, long nights, and the first flush of winter. In Austin, Advent coincides with sunny days, outdoor events, and moderate temperatures that finally mark the end of lingering heat. The variation in how we … read more

October, 9, 2018 is John Hines Day, when Seminary of the Southwest pauses to remember the founding vision of Bishop John Hines, and celebrate the members of the John Hines Legacy Society. The day was Thursday, October 15, 1964. The St. Louis Cardinals were playing host to the New York Yankees in game seven of […]

As we move toward the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump, I am aware that many in this country feel trepidation and fear. People of color, women, sexual minorities, disabled persons, and immigrants all came under attack during Trump’s campaign, and in the construction of his cabinet, President-Elect Trump has done little to signal support for […]

Psalms 45, 46; Isaiah 35: 1-10; Luke 1: 67-80 Listen to the author read their meditation and prayer: Dr. Scott Bader-Saye, Advent Meditation For many of us, Christmas Eve conjures feelings of warmth and security. We are surrounded by friends or family, perhaps warming ourselves by a fire, resting in the comforts of […]

Much has been said during the presidential campaign about the issue of immigration. We have heard about walls, deportation forces, open borders, paths to citizenship, and more. The question of immigration is finally a question about boundaries, identity, and control. What does it mean to be a nation? What is the status of national boundaries? […]

Imagine the following sign at your church door: “please hand your gun to the greeter before entering” or imagine the following bulletin footnotes: “please leave your gun in your seat as you proceed to the altar” or “please leave your gun holstered during the passing of the peace.” Of course, none of these notifications […]

The metaphor of porn has become pervasive in our cultural conversation. In addition to food porn (which you can find all over Facebook and Instagram in the form of “check out my awesome meal” posts), there is wine porn (a cultured obsession with “trophy wines”), real estate porn (a consumer obsession with beautiful, unattainable properties), […]

Thursday, December 24 Psalm 89:1-29; Isaiah 59:15b-21; Matthew 1:18-25 Listen to the author read their meditation and prayer: Dr. Scott Bader-Saye Advent Meditation If I’m being perfectly honest, as a child I found Christmas Eve more exciting than Christmas Day. Grandparents would arrive with a car full of presents, wrapped, hidden, bearing promise more […]

Over the summer I took my oldest son on his first set of college visits. All of my emotions about sending him off to school were mixed with the analytical interests of an educator. I want to see him end up at a school that is able to nurture his gifts, skills, and interests and […]